FAA Says Communication Breakdown Delayed Flights

ATLANTA (AP) – The FAA says airline flights around the country are back to normal, a day after numerous flights were delayed by a communications breakdown.

The Northeast was hardest hit by the delays prompted by a glitch at a Georgia facility that processes flight plans for the eastern half of the U.S.

An FAA spokeswoman says the investigation into what caused the problem is still ongoing, and she doesn’t know when it will be completed. The FAA says a software problem is one theory.

About 650 planes were delayed as a direct result of the problem.

The breakdown gave the major presidential candidates a chance to weigh in. John McCain says the episode “once again highlights the need to reform and repair a broken system.” Barack Obama says “airline passengers are sick and tired of delays and cancellations.”

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)